Authors: Nate Housley
Phantogram w/ Josiah Wolf @ Kilby 10.18
Walking up to Kilby Court on Monday night, I saw a crowd standing outside the door. When I got closer, I realized it was the line to get in. The show sold out, seemingly because both Josiah Wolf and Phantogram were a big draw, even though the two bands touring together made no musical sense. … read more
Small Black at Kilby Court 11/12
As a space heater warmed up the Kilby garage, crowd-pleasing local opener The Heavens and the Earth (aka producer Matt McMurray) came onstage behind an impressive array of electronics hooked together with a grippe of colorful cables. As he started playing a whooshing synth pad, I anticipated a set of Tangerine Dream worship. Then he hit the crowd with a beat and got everyone moving. … read more
Cold Cave @ Urban Lounge on 04.13
Going into the Cold Cave show, I had a vague idea of what to expect. Having heard a preview of Cherish the Light Years, the band’s excellent sophomore album, I anticipated the band being awkward and quasi-emo like the John Hughes movies the album shares a sensibility with. It turns out this was way off, evident from the moment they walked onstage wearing all black. … read more
Here We Go Magic @ Urban Lounge 05.04
Having recently reviewed Here We Go Magic’s proggy The January EP, I went into this show wondering a couple things: would they be able to reproduce the EP’s intricacies live, and more importantly, would it be any fun? The show ended up surprising me pleasantly, making my original concerns irrelevant. … read more
Active Child, Chad Valley, Night Sweats @ Urban Lounge 09.20
Seeing three great bands on a Tuesday night in an intimate setting is nothing to complain about as a music fan, but each of these bands deserved a larger stage. … read more
The War On Drugs: An Interview with Adam Granduciel
After talking with The War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel for about half an hour over the phone, I was left thinking, “Wow, what a nice guy.” The questions of mine that I’m sure he’s asked in every interview didn’t annoy him, he didn’t grouse about people handing him their demos, and he even invited me to play guitar with his band for one song when they come to Salt Lake (I’m taking him up on it). … read more
Whirr: Loudest Band in the World
Whirr is the loudest band in the world. Or, at least, they aspire to be. “We want to be the loudest band in the world,” singer and guitarist Nick Bassett says. “Mogwai, Swans, My Bloody Valentine, Manowar––that’s kindergarten. We blow them out of the water.” … read more
Localized Righteous Audio Werks, Seven Feathers Rainwater
This month’s Localized features the dub reggae band Righteous Audio Werks and the exploratory soundscapes of Seven Feathers Rainwater, along with openers It Foot, It Ears. Come check it out on Friday, Jan. 14 at Urban Lounge for only $5. … read more
Making Some Paper Noise: Potter Press at Alt Press Fest
Paper Noise, a zine published by husband and wife duo Nick and Erin Potter, is the latest manifestation of the adventurous, collaborative spirit behind their Potter Press. Starting from the traditional DIY aesthetic of a zine, but adding more sophisticated design and printmaking techniques, Paper Noise is a showcase for writers and artists who submit works inspired by mixtapes Nick curates. … read more
Parade: Prism of Experience
Watching the trailer for Parade, the first feature-length film from writer-director Brandon Cahoon, one gets a sense that something unspoken is behind the spare dialogue, stark scenery and no-frills cinematography, animating the film in a magical way. Talking with Cahoon, I learned that intersecting with the film’s coming-of-age story is the patience of a mature filmmaker, the generosity of a small town and the mystery and melancholy of the desert. … read more